The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldog's Academy have added their first silverware in 2023, with a strong 32-6 win over the Newcastle Knights in the 2023 Harold Matthews Cup Grand Final at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle Knight's captain and fullback Connor Votano opened up the scoring after controlled possession from the Novocastrians, hitting the lead 6-0 after 15 minutes.
Both clubs fought over field territory for a good chunk of the first half with scores unchanged.
The Bulldog's sprung to life with six minutes to go in the half when right edge backrower Sosaia Alatini broke through the Knight's defence from inside his own territory.
Canterbury-Bankstown got the roll-on and seized the opportunity when Tallis McEwen-Welsh squeezed over for the club's first try of the match. Five-eighth Bronson Reuben nailing the conversion from in front to draw the match 6-all with two minutes remaining in the half.
Alatini was in the thick of it again when he followed up with another strong run. The Pack were on the attack, before a high shot from the Newcastle defence halted play. The Bulldog's opting to aim for the sticks with Reuben slotting the penalty. The Belmore-based side heading into the sheds with a slight 8-6 lead.
The second half kicked off with both sides fighting for territory. Head Coach Shannon Rushworth rolled through some changes in the forward pack with immediate effect.
Forward David Leota making a dent close to the line, offloading to forward Mohamed Hadid who would crash over for a 14-6 lead.
The try opened the floodgates for the Bulldogs, with Christopher Makhlouf beating multiple defenders to dive over the left corner.
Moments later, a depth cross-field kick from captain Mitch Woods put winger Jope Rauqe in an aerial contest against his opposite number. The former coming out of the battle to reach out over the line for a healthy 26-6 lead in front of a boisterous crowd in the heart of the Inner West.
Halfback Mitch Woods would have the last say, closing out the match with a 4-pointer of his own to the left of the crossbar.
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs securing a memorable 2023 Harold Matthews Cup Premiership win over the Newcastle Knights at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 32 (Tries: Christopher Makhlouf, Jope Rauqe, Mohamed Hadid, Tallis McEwen-Welsh; Goals: Bronson Reuben 5; Penalties: Bronson Reuben) def. Newcastle Knights 6 (Tries: Connor Votano; Goals: Connor Votano)
